Logan Downtown Alliance
160 North Main | Logan, Utah | (435) 752-2161 | ext. 105

Downtown Stores

 Accomplishments

 Articles of Incorporation

 Bylaws

 Mission Statement

 Our Vision

 Overview and Accomplishments in 2003

   
  "THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A DOWNTOWN"

      "Reconstructing" anything may seem daunting to some, but there is a movement that is changing the face of Downtown Logan. Before we look at some of the accomplishments over the past year of the Logan Downtown Alliance, it might be important to look back at its origins and goals. First, the Logan Downtown Alliance is a non-profit 501 C 6 corporation that is part of a well-known national foundation. That foundation is The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is based in Washington, D.C. It started out primarily as an initiative to preserve the historic buildings and heritage in national communities. In 1987, out of that trust was formed the National Main Street Center, or program, which focused on the entire process of Downtown Revitalization. The process includes specific strategies encompassing Building Design, Business Development, Promotional Activities, and Committee Organization.

      Though the Logan Downtown Merchants had a "business and/or merchant association" since 1988, or possibly even before, it lacked organization, focus, and a vision of how to improve the Historic Downtown Logan area. In fact, in recent years, it existed only to plan promotional activities such as an annual sidewalk sale and Christmas shopping campaign. In May of 2002, Mayor Doug Thompson and Director of Community Development, Jay Nielson, attended a National Main Street Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. From that visit, Logan was accepted into the National Main Street Program and became a member of the Utah Main Street/Pioneer Communities Program headed by Bim Oliver. This means we have state and national exposure to services and resources to improve Historic Downtown Logan by a prescribed methodology.

      In July of 2002, the Logan Downtown Alliance, Inc. was formed with its four committees and a board consisting of leading business people, civic organizations, city government officials, local residents, and yes, the Historic Downtown Logan merchants themselves. Gene Needham IV of S.E. Needham Jewelers, was named President of the Alliance. Bob Marcolese was hired in February of 2003 as the Logan Downtown Manager and the first full time employee of the Alliance, with his salary partly being subsidized by the State of Utah and Logan City. However, for the Logan Downtown Alliance to do any work, is has to rely on the Historic Downtown's merchants, service organizations, professional services, and property owners' "membership-investments," along with donations, fundraisings, and a county-wide "Friends of Downtown" program.

      What is historic is the fact that nothing can happen in Historic Downtown Logan without recommendation from the designated committee and approval from the board itself. The Mayor and the City intended it to be that way. Merchants, service organizations, professionals, and property owners in the 200 South 300 North, 100 East and West boundaries that make up the "Historic Downtown" area, can choose not to be a part of the Alliance. However, that leaves them to always do what has been traditional, "go fight City Hall" by themselves. They can choose; however, to be part of a unified effort that has the very Logan City folks that are often misunderstood working side-by-side with the merchants, service organizations, professionals, and property owners to strengthen their business and increase their property values!

      Why is there the increased attention to the downtown? The reason is clear. People want culture and heritage retained in the community they visit or live. They want an epicenter that focuses on entertainment, personalized service, and quality products that became eclipsed over the years by franchise movie houses and sterile retail. The society of multi-tasking and deadlines wants to recapture a simplier way of life that only the ambience of landscaped and preserved buildings in a downtown area can bring back. The Main Street Program and the Logan Downtown Alliance started to accomplish that in 2003.

    Among the General Highlights :

• Established a Mission Statement and Goals for the next five years.
• The Cache County Chamber of Commerce assisted setup of the Alliance by providing office space and utilities, furniture, business supplies, and office staff support, all at no cost.
• The Logan Downtown Alliance now has representation on the Logan City Council by two committee and board appointed member-ship investors, Ms. Laraine Swenson and Mr. Joe Needham.
• Increased media exposure and focused attention on Historic Downtown Logan revitalization and the Logan Downtown Alliance.
• Attendance by the Downtown Manager, a Downtown Retailer, and the Logan City Department Director of Economic Development at The National Main Street Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, a Western Regional Conference in Cortez, Colorado, and a Utah Main Street Conference in Richfield.